LE HIDE — Restaurant in Paris

Utterly disappointing in terms of service.

I visited this restaurant in April 2022 and really enjoyed the food. When I came to Paris again in December 2022, I wanted to bring my family to try it as well. So I called to make a reservation on the 9th Dec 2022 for 5 people to dine on 19th Dec 2022.

On the 10th Dec 2022, I called back to request to change the reservation from 5 people to 8 people, as my uncle and his family were also visiting at the same time. The lady on the phone said they did not have a table to accommodate 8 people. So I enquired if we could simply do a table of 5 and 3 and we will sit separately, to which the lady said yes, and that the reservation was confirmed (I recomfirmed and verified twice on the phone before hanging up).

We reached on time at 630pm on the 19th Dec, and was told by this rather unfriendly staff that they did not have our reservation at all, and that it could not have been possible that they had accepted a reservation of 5+3. We were then informed that the place was already fully reserved for that evening and it was not possible for us to dine there anyway.

Unfortunately for the 8 of us who had travelled a long way from Singapore, there was no proof apart from me showing on my mobile phone that we did make those two phone calls, as Le Hide does not subscribe to any online reservation platform, nor have any email address on their website. Booking is only by phone.

Miscommunications happen, but what was inexcusable for me was the attitude of the staff who did not seem to believe we made any reservation, was not the least apologetic, and had zero empathy for a group of tourists who have traveled from afar (and with some young children standing outside in the cold whilst the discussion was going on). The least she could have offered was a “we’re sorry for the situation, can we offer you this next available date etc. etc.”

In summary, food would have probably still been good, but service is a zero for me. It’s a shame because I remember the service to be between average to acceptable when I was there...

This is truly the best meal i have ever had anywhere.

The bad points: from reading tripadvisor most the bad reviews relate to not being able to get a table even with a reservation. I believe that this could be the case and reservations do not mean that much, i feel that if they had a free table and someone walked in from the street they would offer them the table to ensure that they have a full place. We turned up at the time of our reservation and had to wait 15 minutes to be seated, they also had people walking in off the street to book a table, they were told the next free table was at 21:30. At around 21:20 they had people walking in off the street and being offered the only free table in the restaurant.

Now for the good points: even though we had to wait to be seated, the front of house staff were so friendly and nice. We were given bread and drinks at the bar before being seated and given an english menu. Everytime a dish was passed through from the kitchen the waitress showed us and told us what the dish was and came back to show us on the menu, this helped decide what i was having for dinner!.

I started with the duck with pastry, and im still fantasizing about it now. My girlfriend also had starter envy but enjoyed her white asparagus starter.

For main i had the beef stew, and my girlfriend had the lamb chops. Both absolutely amazing, and it was then i realised i have just ruined any future restaurant for myself.

For pudding i had poached pear, with chocolate sauce and ice cream. It finished the meal perfectly.

A bit more of a beer selection would have been nice. But overall...

What a hidden gem! And by hidden, I mean that it was tucked away in a lovely side street. My mother and I didn’t have a reservation, but we came only fifteen minutes after opening and the hostess was so kind as to find us a table! The service was impeccable, especially considering the fact that the visable staff only included a hostess, waitress, and the chef. Everyone was so kind and understanding and we never felt frowned upon for speaking English. And the food! Oh my goodness, the food! The lamb was so tender I couldn’t stab it with my fork. My mother admitted she never liked risotto until trying it with the beef bourguignon (the best bourguignon we’ve found in Paris!) The waitress was so sweet and polite that we actually became upset when there wasn’t an option to tip when paying the bill. Speaking of the bill, the meal we had was easily half the price of the more expensive and ‘higher end’ restaurants we tried and a thousand times over more enjoyable. It was by far the best meal we’ve had in Paris, if not the best I’ve had while traveling anywhere, with the most lovely people and a charming setting. I cannot recommend this place enough!!!

Only thing I will say is the dining area is VERY LIMITED, so reservations are KEY! I lost track of how many people were politely turned away at the door because all tables were occupied. RESERVE RESERVE RESERVE! If you don’t and/or can’t, then your best bet is to come in right at opening like my mother and I, especially on weekdays when it...